Supermarket chain Lidl has responded to objections from Ashby Civic Society to its proposed new site at Resolution Road.

The Civic Society made its views known to North West District Council when describing the plans as 'foolish' and causing possible 'traffic paralysis' in the area.

Lidl wants to demolish the former Ashfield House, which sits on the junction with Nottingham Road, and build a new structure to house the supermarket.

Ashby town councillors have already raised concerns that there are already two major supermarkets - Aldi and Tesco - in the area, with B&M and Marks and Spencer situated close by, potentially causing further traffic congestion.

But it is the Civic Society's fears that are addressed in a letter from Lidl's planning agents, Manchester-based Rapleys, to the District Council.

A site plan for the proposed new Ashby Lidl supermarket. Image: Lidl

This claims that the addition of Lidl will have 'minimal impact on the highway network', as supported by a transport assessment.

It also confirms the design of the building will be one-storey with a timber design to fit in with the National Forest.

The correspondence reads: "Ashby Civic Society objects to the application on three grounds:

• Increase in traffic;

• Design of the store; and

• Loss of trees.

"These are addressed in turn. Regarding the impacts on traffic, a Transport Assessment, prepared by Cora IHT, accompanies this application.

"It concludes, the site has historically generated a level of traffic due to the existing office use (Ashby Business Centre), however, for robustness those trips have not been offset from the proposed development trips.

"The development impact from the proposed trips on the observed junctions within the study area are minimal - whilst capacity assessments show that the Proposed Site Access / Resolution Road roundabout junction would operate well within capacity in the base and future year assessments with the developments in place.

"The recorded accident data within the vicinity of the site does not indicate any existing highway safety patterns or problems.

An artist's impression of the planned new Lidl in Ashby. Image: Lidl

"The proposed development site is located in an accessible location, enabling customers and employees to make use of the existing public transport links, pedestrian facilities and cycle routes.

"As such, it is considered that the proposed development would have a minimal impact on the highway network and are acceptable in highways and transportation terms.

"Regarding the design, the proposed development is for a single-storey store with horizontal timber rainscreen cladding.

"This is similar to the designs of other retail outlets within the vicinity of the site, with the timber design considered complementary to the National Forest.

"The design of the store has been tweaked following the consultation to incorporate the timber cladding, however, the overall site layout is similar to that of the consultation.

"Finally, in terms of the impact on trees, whilst some verges have been removed to accommodate the car park, it should be noted that there is a significant amount of tree planting as a result of this proposal.

"The trees that were previously removed were some time ago and before Lidl purchased the site, with the tree planting mitigating that loss.

"The Detailed Landscape Proposals, prepared by BEA Landscape Limited, demonstrates the increase in tree planting within the site as well as the proposed wildflower grass."